The Two Lovers 1503 - 1540

Editor: This is "The Two Lovers," made sometime between 1503 and 1540 by Parmigianino. It's an etching, an engraving, so a print on paper. What strikes me is this crowded, almost dreamlike atmosphere. What's your read on it? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? For me, Parmigianino always feels like he's tuning into some frequency we can barely hear. This print vibrates with that energy. It’s so explicitly sensual, these nude figures lounging, embracing, completely unconcerned with anything beyond their own pleasure... It’s tempting to read this through a mythological lens, perhaps as a bacchanal, or even something more allegorical… what do you make of that potential symbolism? Editor: I hadn’t considered mythology, but now that you mention it, the figures do feel a little timeless, like nymphs or deities in some classical scene. I just found myself drawn to the technical aspects—the incredibly fine lines, the subtle gradations of light and shadow achieved through etching. It’s stunning! Curator: Exactly! Look at the way he renders the figures – the bodies elongated and slightly contorted, full of this...sprezzatura. It’s technically virtuosic, but it is also completely infused with this feeling of unrestrained creativity. The overall effect is captivating, though one has to wonder about the original intent with such works during this period... do you think he was more driven by aesthetic pleasure than social messaging? Editor: Perhaps a bit of both? The Renaissance was all about celebrating human form and classical ideals, but Parmigianino clearly puts his own unique spin on it. Curator: A good point, and that creative individualism is why his artwork has this uniquely surreal and timeless appeal to it. We both noticed things I hadn't quite grasped on my own! Editor: I leave with a changed view of old engravings -- such pieces should really command one's respect!